Michigan senior quarterback Denard Robinson skirts South Carolina's D.J. Swearinger during the second half of the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Tuesday, Jan. 1.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

The Michigan football team's season ended the way it started on Tuesday: with a loss to an SEC opponent.

Michigan lost 33-28 loss in the Outback Bowl to South Carolina in a game worth the price of admission.

South Carolina took the lead just one minute, 34 seconds into the first quarter and held it until the final two seconds of the third before Michigan got on top. The teams traded blows throughout the fourth, but a 32-yard pass from Dylan Thompson to Bruce Ellington with 11 seconds remaining, the third lead change of the quarter, proved to be the knockout blow.

Comments

Judy Harding

Thu, Jan 3, 2013 : 3:46 a.m.

1rst of all, they had the QB a couple of times in the last downs and did not wrap it up. 2nd, they were the home team. Why weren't they wearing their home colors??? I am in Florida now (raised in A2 and on Wolverine football) and so missed seeing them in the Maise and Blue! Furthermore, we couldn't read the numbers on the jerseys. I was there. Didn't know who was playing most of the time Yellow on white???? What committee made that choice??? Go Blue! Although we didn't see any blue on the field!

MRunner73

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 7:38 p.m.

it all came down to the defense missing two QB sacks in the final drive to ice the game. That didn't happen. Denard was grossly under used. He only had 25 or so touches on the ball and should have had 50 or 60. Not using the best offesive player would have been like SC not using Ace Sanders or Clowney on defense.
Wonding why Denard slipped so much on a dry field. The loss will leave a bitter taste in my mouth for a long time.

Blue Marker

Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 2:59 p.m.

50 to 60 touches for Denard? C'mon man!

treetowncartel

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 9:47 p.m.

FYI,
on Friday night the Tampa area saw a record amount of rainfall for that time of year. So, the field wasn't exactly dry.

JGTRUEBLUE

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 6:27 p.m.

Can anyone explain to me why the hit Clowney to V. Smith was not called as a deliberate helmet-to- helmet hit which caused his helmet to come off? And then the taunting gesture after the play? I think the hype for this player and the favoritism to the SEC was pretty obvious. Clowney didn't tackle Smith - he targeted his head, IMO.
Here is the rule. The NCAA rulebook on page 39 (rule 2, section 26) is very clear when it defines tackling: ``Tackling is grasping or encircling an opponent with a hand(s) or arm (s). No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul.'' Article 4 goes on to add: &quot;No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder. When in question, it is a foul.&quot;

Blue

Thu, Jan 3, 2013 : 3:07 a.m.

Embarrassing yes. A penalty no. Clowney didn't lead with the crown so much as he delivered a form tackle to the chest. It is not that hard to pop off a helmet with the right leverage to the bottom of the face mask. Players today don't buckle their chin straps like they used to which is beyond me. I think everyone is getting a little sensitive because we're seeing this hit four times an hour on ESPN and will surely see it again all next year during Clowney's Heisman campaign. As for the gesture . . . seriously? Is this what we want to be? This is big boy football. We need to stop whining before Notre Dame comes to town on 9/7.

Blue

Thu, Jan 3, 2013 : 2:51 a.m.

Embarrassing, yes. A penalty no. Clowney didn't target with his crown so much as lay down a form tackle with his face mask into the chest. Everyone is getting a little sensitive now that we've had to watch it on ESPN four times an hour for the last day and will surely see it all next year during Clowney's 2013 Heisman campaign. It's really not that hard to pop off a helmet with with the right leverage on the bottom of the face mask. Players don't seem to really strap on their helmets like they used to which is beyond me. As for the gesture, come on; this is big boy football. Hopefully we can all quit whining before Notre Dame shows up on 9/7.

eldegee

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 5:35 p.m.

More bone-headed offensive play calling by Borges. If this guy is such a genius why does he insist on running Denard Robinson up the middle time after time only to see him get stuffed?
And running the smallest guy on the field (Vincent Smith) straight up the middle into an angry defense has to be THE STUPIDEST PLAY ALL YEAR!! He obviously never gave a thought that the defense was REALLY ticked at the refs screwing them over on the previous ball spot (twice). Borges obviously didn't consider the fact that the defense was coming and they were coming with a vengeance.
He only used two or three misdirection type plays which you need against an aggressive defense. They should have been running quick plays, two-step drops, slants, etc. , get rid of the ball quickly.
But no, the play-calling was absolutely mind-boggling in its stupidity.

eldegee

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 5:40 p.m.

But no, the play-calling was absolutely mind-boggling in its stupidity.
ONCE AGAIN

treetowncartel

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 3:50 p.m.

We got outcoached. Beaten by the old ball coach and the former offensive coordinator from Appalachin State. Together, they exploited our lack of a strong secondary. I wonder how JT Floyd feels about letting his teamates down.
I'm also wondering why we went for it on 4th down right before the most explosive hit I have seen in quite sometime. Our defense was handling their offense pretty well and we had the lead. Punt the ball to a corner and save the trickery for a time when it is needed.

observer

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 4:30 p.m.

well said and spot on......the hit changed the momentum......

Blue Marker

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 1:55 p.m.

The better team did win, but Michigan had their chances. 4 of the 5 loses this team suffered will be from teams ranked in the top 8. And the other was lost on the road to a top 20 team. Not an excuse, just an observation. This team needs a big back, some taller receivers and some pressure from their D-line. I believe the program is going in the right direction. They over achieved a little last year and were right on schedule this year.

Blue Marker

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 4:49 p.m.

I think Meyer was well aware of Michigan when he lost to them in his own backyard with a Heisman Trophy winner in his backfield. Oh, I'm sorry, that was 4 years ago.....too long? I know Frank Beamer is aware of Michigan's history as he was defeated by them last year in a BCS game on New Year's Day. But I suppose Virginia Tech isn't a &quot;good team&quot; either. Observer, go cheer for Alabama. You seem perfect for their fan base!

observer

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 4:29 p.m.

save the winningest team talk, it is old news....time to let go of the past.....you have to beat good teams now......do you think Spurrier and Meyer care about UM's past.....LOL.......

glimmertwin

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 12:49 p.m.

Live by the blitz, die by the blitz, I guess. Nobody should be that open over the middle at that point in a close football game.
It's a shame, a very hard-hitting football game.

Goober

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 12:46 p.m.

I good game and the better team did win.

John B

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.

You cannot win without a defense.
1-10
Run defense 5
Pass Defense 2
7 out of 20 won't win competitive games

Tru2Blu76

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 6:19 a.m.

I didn't see anything &quot;crushing&quot; about Michigan's loss to No. Carolina. What I saw in the last couple minutes of the game were TWO missed sacks of the NC QB. It was those two missed sacks (by a hair!) that enabled them to stay alive, drive downfield and make the go-ahead score with just 11 seconds left. UNTIL I saw those two near-misses, I figured Michigan had done fine handling what was obviously a darned good opponent.
Furthermore: I saw no reason to criticize Coach Hoke, Coach Borges or Coach Mattison. They provided all the counter measures to Spurrier's No. Carolina bunch and that includes the mighty battle between Taylor Lewan and Jeovon Clownie. Lewan was supposed to be totally outmatched by Super Clownie and he did get the Wolverine's their first 15-yd. penalty - but MOSTLY he neutralized Clownie.
I for one saw our players doing standout jobs on &quot;neutral&quot; ground. Everyone from Gardner to Lewan to Robinson to Roundtree proved themselves worthy of wearing the winged helmet on New Year's Day, 2013. I think they deserve a big welcome home.
For next season: GO BLUE!! It's gonna be a dandy.

Blue

Thu, Jan 3, 2013 : 2:34 a.m.

Dude, South Carolina and North Carolina are not the same place. UNC spent Christmas at home on probation. They had to vacate all of their wins from '08-'09 earlier this year.

Blue Marker

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 1:49 p.m.

Apparently Observer doesn't know that you don't become the winningest team in college football with &quot;moral&quot; victories. Michigan beat some good teams last year, this year they did not.

flyonthewall

Wed, Jan 2, 2013 : 1:33 p.m.

True, don't let the Gamecocks of South Carolina hear you calling them the Tar Heels of North Carolina.